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LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Residents in Sun Post Herald communities will be deciding a variety of local issues on the Nov. 4 ballot. Here’s a quick look at what voters can expect on Election Day: FAIRVIEW PARK The Fairview Park City Council election includes ward incumbents not facing competition -- Ward 2’s William Minek, Ward 3’s Troy J. Greenfield and Ward 4’s Sarah Wering. Also on the ballot is unchallenged Ward 1 newcomer Patrick Lang, who replaces the outgoing Bryan Simmerly. Despite the naming of Ward 5’s Bridget King as the new council president, which was vacated last month by Michael Kilbane, the councilwoman remains on the ballot against Jeffrey J. Szemplak. Fairview Park voters are also asked to decide Issue 9. If approved, the 1-mill fire department levy renewal, which collects $328,668 annually, will cost a $100,000 homeowner $13 a year. LAKEWOOD Election day in Lakewood includes At-Large and Ward 2 races. The former features Council-At-Large candidates seeking three open four-year-term seats -- incumbents Tom Bullock, Sarah Kepple and Angelina Hamilton Steiner with challenges from Brian Higgins, Allison L. Urbanek and Brian F. Ventura. There’s also a two-year-term race with Bryan J. Evans, who last year was appointed to replace Jason Shachner, facing off against Kyle V. Robinson. LAKEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS Voters will also be deciding the race for the Lakewood City Schools Board of Education with incumbents Nora Katzenberger and Betsy Bergen Shaughnessy challenged by Monica Bruaw and Katie Slife Rustad. NORTH OLMSTED North Olmsted City voters to decide Ward 3 and finance director races. Longtime Director of Finance Carrie B. Copfer is being challenged by Keegan Radeff, while Ward 3 councilwoman Mary Gilchrist faces off against Terry Smith. Incumbents running unopposed include Council President Lou Brossard, Law Director Michael R. Gareau Jr., Ward 1’s Christopher F. Scarl and Ward 2’s Matthew G. Marrie. In Ward 4, incumbent Mary Ellen Hemann isn’t seeking reelection with candidate Maureen F. Carr running unopposed. Also unchallenged on Election Day is Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones, who seeks her second term in office. North Olmsted residents will decide Issue 24, which is related to the city accessing additional cooperative purchasing programs. If approved, the charter amendment will provide the city with flexibility through comparison shopping. NORTH OLMSTED CITY SCHOOLS The North Olmsted City Schools Board of Education race finds incumbents Gina Lehmann and Daniel H. Rahm, as well as newcomer Mohammad Alhawawsha running for three open four-year-term seats. Also, incumbent Terry Groden is running unopposed for a two-year term. OLMSTED FALLS With Mayor Olmsted Falls James Graven not seeking a third term, the race for city leader includes former Olmsted Falls Fire Chief and current Ward 3 Councilman Chad Gluss facing off against Olmsted Falls City Schools Board of Education member Holly Neumann for the four-year term. The Olmsted Falls City Council election includes an At-Large race with four candidates vying for three two-year-term seats -- Incumbents Brian Chitester and Megan Coy, as well as Jennifer Jansen and Garry Thompson. In Ward 1, incumbent Jay Mcfadden is not seeking reelection with newcomer Anita Greller running unopposed. Ward 2’s Sean J. Wolanin is being challenged by Jacklyn Bartkowski, while Ward 4’s Scott Saari is running unopposed. With Ward 3’s Chad Gluss running for mayor, that means candidate Brett J. Iafigliola is unopposed. Olmsted Falls residents will also be deciding three levy renewals on the Nov. 4 ballot: • Issue 28, a 1.3-mill police department levy renewal raising $272,000 annually for maintaining motor vehicles, communications and other equipment. • Issue 29, a .65-mill fire department levy renewal raising $136,000, which annually involves the purchase and maintenance of fire apparatus. • Issue 30, a 1.3-mill levy renewal raising $272,000 annually, covering general construction, reconstruction, resurfacing and repairs of streets. Combined, a $100,000 homeowner will pay roughly $200 annually for all three levy renewals, which are outside millage property tax levies that don’t increase property taxes. OLMSTED TOWNSHIP The Olmsted Township trustee race for two open four-year-term seats finds incumbent Riley A. Alton running against Chris Anagnostopoulos, who unsuccessfully ran for the same seat in 2021, as well as current Olmsted Falls City Schools board member Bob Perez. As far as the Olmsted Falls City Schools Board of Education election, three candidates seek three open four-year seats. Incumbent Phil Eckenrode, Patrick Antos and Amy Lauderdale are running unopposed with incumbent Holly Neumann seeking the mayor’s seat and Kelly Walker not seeking reelection.
